Interesting to see interest in the effects health issues have on crime rates. Related is the effect of legalized abortion on crime rates. This has been written about in the past though very few people like to admit that abortions can have positive effects. Very interesting though a bit unsettling.

Tom Jones: Jessica’s paper claims that a 56% drop in violent crime was the result of lead-free petrol and a 29% drop was the result of legalised abortion.

These factors are significantly different. One difference is that abortion reduces the number of people in a particular age group and could be expected to decrease the number of criminals in at least the same proportion. Another is that the women who seek abortions tend to be those who are least likely to be able to provide a good environment for a child. Children who are born into poverty have a much higher incidence of criminal behaviour.

The issue of lead poisoning is that it increases the probability of criminal behaviour in individuals.